System and method for comforting children using plush toys and audio players

ABSTRACT

A system including a plush toy implement in the shape of a sports implement; an audio player device that is configured to broadcast a parent message that is operable for comforting an infant; a storage pocket implement disposed on a first sidewall portion of the plush toy implement, wherein the storage pocket is configured to contain the audio player device; a strap implement sewn to a second sidewall portion of the plush toy implement that is configured to be safely secured to a sidewall of a crib, a stroller, a car seat, a play pen or a carrying handle of a safety seat; and a water-resistant housing structure enclosing the audio player device, in which the housing structure comprises at least rounded corners and edges that are configured to be secured within and removed from the storage pocket.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present Utility patent application claims priority benefit of theU.S. provisional application for patent Ser. No. 62/604,604, filed onJul. 14, 2017, under 35 U.S.C. 119(e). The contents of this relatedprovisional application are incorporated herein by reference for allpurposes to the extent that such subject matter is not inconsistentherewith or limiting hereof.

RELATED CO-PENDING U.S. PATENT APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF SEQUENCE LISTING PROVIDED AS ATEXT FILE

Not Applicable

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIX

Not applicable.

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection by the author thereof. Thecopyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyoneof the patent document or patent disclosure for the purposes ofreferencing as patent prior art, as it appears in the Patent andTrademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves allcopyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE RELEVANT PRIOR ART

One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to systems andmethods for providing comfort to infants and/or toddlers. Moreparticularly, certain embodiments of the invention relate to plush toysin the shape and image of an athletic symbol and an audio player devicefor broadcasting comforting sounds and music.

The following background information may present examples of specificaspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts,or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educatethe reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to beconstrued as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof,to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon. Quietingand amusing infants and small children presents a constant challenge forparents and child care providers. Children may be easier to quiet andcalm when they are near a comfortable or well-known object or toy.Certain visible images or patterns may have a calming effect on infantsand children. Toys, dolls and stuffed animals may mean a lot to kids,and not just because of their entertainment value, but because they mayprovide comfort.

The following is an example of a specific aspect in the prior art that,while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as toadditional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limitingthe present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated orimplied therein or inferred thereupon. By way of educational background,another aspect of the prior art generally useful to be aware of is thatmany toys have been developed for the comfort and entertainment ofinfants and small children. Plush toys have long been enjoyed bychildren of all ages. Stuffed animals have always remained popular, andfor their appeal with children of all ages. Balls of all sizes andshapes may have been one of man's earliest toy forms and one cannotimagine how different human culture would appear without this simplestof toy. In addition to the use of these well-known objects, otherelements such as music, beach sounds, or even other noises may furthersoothe an infant or a child. While there are multitudes of forms forplush toys and hundreds of different types of balls, it is believedthere has been no toy that has successfully combined the intrinsic valueof a plush buddy with an extrinsic function of a toy ball and an articlefor storage and transport of small items. As technology has advanced, ithas become possible to merge modern technology with traditional toys.After a healthy diet, the most important part of a baby's properdevelopment is comforting rest. Two working parents and even singleparents have replaced a traditional working dad/stay-at-home momsociety, which actually makes babies' sleeping schedules difficult tomaintain—and even affects their proper growth and maturation.

For a product field that seems geared towards children, it's a goodthing that many consumers are kids at heart. Additionally, plush toysand toys specifically for young children are those that have had thehighest growth in recent years out of the entire toy and game industry.

In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional techniquesare not perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary infant toy with modernizedimprovement that allows it to be personalized by a parent, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an exemplary plush toy, in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an exemplary infant toy with pocket forstorage and transport of small items, in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an exemplary audio player, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an exemplary audio player, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an exemplary Score App, in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is an illustration of an exemplary plush buddy with an extrinsicfunction of toy balls, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are notnecessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailedfigures and description set forth herein.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to theFigures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatthe detailed description given herein with respect to these figures isfor explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limitedembodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled inthe art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention,recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, dependingupon the needs of the particular application, to implement thefunctionality of any given detail described herein, beyond theparticular implementation choices in the following embodiments describedand shown. That is, there are modifications and variations of theinvention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within thescope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as pluraland vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, whereappropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply thatthe two are mutually exclusive.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limitedto the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturingtechniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary.It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used forthe purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is notintended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be notedthat as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is areference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof knownto those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a referenceto “a step” or “a means” is a reference to one or more steps or meansand may include sub-steps and subservient means. All conjunctions usedare to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, theword “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical“or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the contextclearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to beunderstood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures.Language that may be construed to express approximation should be sounderstood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

All words of approximation as used in the present disclosure and claimsshould be construed to mean “approximate,” rather than “perfect,” andmay accordingly be employed as a meaningful modifier to any other word,specified parameter, quantity, quality, or concept. Words ofapproximation, include, yet are not limited to terms such as“substantial”, “nearly”, “almost”, “about”, “generally”, “largely”,“essentially”, “closely approximate”, etc.

As will be established in some detail below, it is well settled law, asearly as 1939, that words of approximation are not indefinite in theclaims even when such limits are not defined or specified in thespecification.

For example, see Ex parte Mallory, 52 USPQ 297, 297 (Pat. Off. Bd. App.1941) where the court said “The examiner has held that most of theclaims are inaccurate because apparently the laminar film will not beentirely eliminated. The claims specify that the film is “substantially”eliminated and for the intended purpose, it is believed that the slightportion of the film which may remain is negligible. We are of the view,therefore, that the claims may be regarded as sufficiently accurate.”

Note that claims need only “reasonably apprise those skilled in the art”as to their scope to satisfy the definiteness requirement. See EnergyAbsorption Sys., Inc. v. Roadway Safety Servs., Inc., Civ. App. 96-1264,slip op. at 10 (Fed. Cir. Jul. 3, 1997) (unpublished) Hybridtech v.Monoclonal Antibodies, Inc., 802 F.2d 1367, 1385, 231 USPQ 81, 94 (Fed.Cir. 1986), cert. denied, 480 U.S. 947 (1987). In addition, the use ofmodifiers in the claim, like “generally” and “substantial,” does not byitself render the claims indefinite. See Seattle Box Co. v. IndustrialCrating & Packing, Inc., 731 F.2d 818, 828-29, 221 USPQ 568, 575-76(Fed. Cir. 1984).

Moreover, the ordinary and customary meaning of terms like“substantially” includes “reasonably close to: nearly, almost, about”,connoting a term of approximation. See In re Frye, Appeal No.2009-006013, 94 USPQ2d 1072, 1077, 2010 WL 889747 (B.P.A.I. 2010)Depending on its usage, the word “substantially” can denote eitherlanguage of approximation or language of magnitude. Deering PrecisionInstruments, L.L.C. v. Vector Distribution Sys., Inc., 347 F.3d 1314,1323 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (recognizing the “dual ordinary meaning of th[e]term [”substantially“] as connoting a term of approximation or a term ofmagnitude”). Here, when referring to the “substantially halfway”limitation, the Specification uses the word “approximately” as asubstitute for the word “substantially” (Fact 4). (Fact 4). The ordinarymeaning of “substantially halfway” is thus reasonably close to or nearlyat the midpoint between the forwardmost point of the upper or outsoleand the rearwardmost point of the upper or outsole.

Similarly, the term ‘substantially’ is well recognize in case law tohave the dual ordinary meaning of connoting a term of approximation or aterm of magnitude. See Dana Corp. v. American Axle & Manufacturing,Inc., Civ. App. 04-1116, 2004 U.S. App. LEXIS 18265, *13-14 (Fed. Cir.Aug. 27, 2004) (unpublished). The term “substantially” is commonly usedby claim drafters to indicate approximation. See Cordis Corp. v.Medtronic AVE Inc., 339 F.3d 1352, 1360 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (“The patentsdo not set out any numerical standard by which to determine whether thethickness of the wall surface is ‘substantially uniform.’ The term‘substantially,’ as used in this context, denotes approximation. Thus,the walls must be of largely or approximately uniform thickness.”); seealso Deering Precision Instruments, LLC v. Vector Distribution Sys.,Inc., 347 F.3d 1314, 1322 (Fed. Cir. 2003); Epcon Gas Sys., Inc. v.Bauer Compressors, Inc., 279 F.3d 1022, 1031 (Fed. Cir. 2002). We findthat the term “substantially” was used in just such a manner in theclaims of the patents-in-suit: “substantially uniform wall thickness”denotes a wall thickness with approximate uniformity.

It should also be noted that such words of approximation as contemplatedin the foregoing clearly limits the scope of claims such as saying‘generally parallel’ such that the adverb ‘generally’ does not broadenthe meaning of parallel. Accordingly, it is well settled that such wordsof approximation as contemplated in the foregoing (e.g., like the phrase‘generally parallel’) envisions some amount of deviation from perfection(e.g., not exactly parallel), and that such words of approximation ascontemplated in the foregoing are descriptive terms commonly used inpatent claims to avoid a strict numerical boundary to the specifiedparameter. To the extent that the plain language of the claims relyingon such words of approximation as contemplated in the foregoing areclear and uncontradicted by anything in the written description hereinor the figures thereof, it is improper to rely upon the present writtendescription, the figures, or the prosecution history to add limitationsto any of the claim of the present invention with respect to such wordsof approximation as contemplated in the foregoing. That is, under suchcircumstances, relying on the written description and prosecutionhistory to reject the ordinary and customary meanings of the wordsthemselves is impermissible. See, for example, Liquid Dynamics Corp. v.Vaughan Co., 355 F.3d 1361, 69 USPQ2d 1595, 1600-01 (Fed. Cir. 2004).The plain language of phrase 2 requires a “substantial helical flow.”The term “substantial” is a meaningful modifier implying “approximate,”rather than “perfect.” In Cordis Corp. v. Medtronic AVE, Inc., 339 F.3d1352, 1361 (Fed. Cir. 2003), the district court imposed a precisenumeric constraint on the term “substantially uniform thickness.” Wenoted that the proper interpretation of this term was “of largely orapproximately uniform thickness” unless something in the prosecutionhistory imposed the “clear and unmistakable disclaimer” needed fornarrowing beyond this simple-language interpretation. Id. In Anchor WallSystems v. Rockwood Retaining Walls, Inc., 340 F.3d 1298, 1311 (Fed.Cir. 2003)” Id. at 1311. Similarly, the plain language of claim 1requires neither a perfectly helical flow nor a flow that returnsprecisely to the center after one rotation (a limitation that arisesonly as a logical consequence of requiring a perfectly helical flow).

The reader should appreciate that case law generally recognizes a dualordinary meaning of such words of approximation, as contemplated in theforegoing, as connoting a term of approximation or a term of magnitude;e.g., see Deering Precision Instruments, L.L.C. v. Vector Distrib. Sys.,Inc., 347 F.3d 1314, 68 USPQ2d 1716, 1721 (Fed. Cir. 2003), cert.denied, 124 S. Ct. 1426 (2004) where the court was asked to construe themeaning of the term “substantially” in a patent claim. Also see Epcon,279 F.3d at 1031 (“The phrase ‘substantially constant’ denotes languageof approximation, while the phrase ‘substantially below’ signifieslanguage of magnitude, i.e., not insubstantial.”). Also, see, e.g.,Epcon Gas Sys., Inc. v. Bauer Compressors, Inc., 279 F.3d 1022 (Fed.Cir. 2002) (construing the terms “substantially constant” and“substantially below”); Zodiac Pool Care, Inc. v. Hoffinger Indus.,Inc., 206 F.3d 1408 (Fed. Cir. 2000) (construing the term “substantiallyinward”); York Prods., Inc. v. Cent. Tractor Farm & Family Ctr., 99 F.3d1568 (Fed. Cir. 1996) (construing the term “substantially the entireheight thereof”); Tex. Instruments Inc. v. Cypress Semiconductor Corp.,90 F.3d 1558 (Fed. Cir. 1996) (construing the term “substantially in thecommon plane”). In conducting their analysis, the court instructed tobegin with the ordinary meaning of the claim terms to one of ordinaryskill in the art. Prima Tek, 318 F.3d at 1148. Reference to dictionariesand our cases indicates that the term “substantially” has numerousordinary meanings. As the district court stated, “substantially” canmean “significantly” or “considerably.” The term “substantially” canalso mean “largely” or “essentially.” Webster's New 20th CenturyDictionary 1817 (1983).

Words of approximation, as contemplated in the foregoing, may also beused in phrases establishing approximate ranges or limits, where the endpoints are inclusive and approximate, not perfect; e.g., see AK SteelCorp. v. Sollac, 344 F.3d 1234, 68 USPQ2d 1280, 1285 (Fed. Cir. 2003)where it where the court said [W]e conclude that the ordinary meaning ofthe phrase “up to about 10%” includes the “about 10%” endpoint. Aspointed out by AK Steel, when an object of the preposition “up to” isnonnumeric, the most natural meaning is to exclude the object (e.g.,painting the wall up to the door). On the other hand, as pointed out bySollac, when the object is a numerical limit, the normal meaning is toinclude that upper numerical limit (e.g., counting up to ten, seatingcapacity for up to seven passengers). Because we have here a numericallimit—“about 10%”—the ordinary meaning is that that endpoint isincluded.

In the present specification and claims, a goal of employment of suchwords of approximation, as contemplated in the foregoing, is to avoid astrict numerical boundary to the modified specified parameter, assanctioned by Pall Corp. v. Micron Separations, Inc., 66 F.3d 1211,1217, 36 USPQ2d 1225, 1229 (Fed. Cir. 1995) where it states “It is wellestablished that when the term “substantially” serves reasonably todescribe the subject matter so that its scope would be understood bypersons in the field of the invention, and to distinguish the claimedsubject matter from the prior art, it is not indefinite.” Likewise seeVerve LLC v. Crane Cams Inc., 311 F.3d 1116, 65 USPQ2d 1051, 1054 (Fed.Cir. 2002). Expressions such as “substantially” are used in patentdocuments when warranted by the nature of the invention, in order toaccommodate the minor variations that may be appropriate to secure theinvention. Such usage may well satisfy the charge to “particularly pointout and distinctly claim” the invention, 35 U.S.C. § 112, and indeed maybe necessary in order to provide the inventor with the benefit of hisinvention. In Andrew Corp. v. Gabriel Elecs. Inc., 847 F.2d 819, 821-22,6 USPQ2d 2010, 2013 (Fed. Cir. 1988) the court explained that usagessuch as “substantially equal” and “closely approximate” may serve todescribe the invention with precision appropriate to the technology andwithout intruding on the prior art. The court again explained in EcolabInc. v. Envirochem, Inc., 264 F.3d 1358, 1367, 60 USPQ2d 1173, 1179(Fed. Cir. 2001) that “like the term ‘about,’ the term ‘substantially’is a descriptive term commonly used in patent claims to ‘avoid a strictnumerical boundary to the specified parameter, see Ecolab Inc. v.Envirochem Inc., 264 F.3d 1358, 60 USPQ2d 1173, 1179 (Fed. Cir. 2001)where the court found that the use of the term “substantially” to modifythe term “uniform” does not render this phrase so unclear such thatthere is no means by which to ascertain the claim scope.

Similarly, other courts have noted that like the term “about,” the term“substantially” is a descriptive term commonly used in patent claims to“avoid a strict numerical boundary to the specified parameter.”; e.g.,see Pall Corp. v. Micron Seps., 66 F.3d 1211, 1217, 36 USPQ2d 1225, 1229(Fed. Cir. 1995); see, e.g., Andrew Corp. v. Gabriel Elecs. Inc., 847F.2d 819, 821-22, 6 USPQ2d 2010, 2013 (Fed. Cir. 1988) (noting thatterms such as “approach each other,” “close to,” “substantially equal,”and “closely approximate” are ubiquitously used in patent claims andthat such usages, when serving reasonably to describe the claimedsubject matter to those of skill in the field of the invention, and todistinguish the claimed subject matter from the prior art, have beenaccepted in patent examination and upheld by the courts). In this case,“substantially” avoids the strict 100% nonuniformity boundary.

Indeed, the foregoing sanctioning of such words of approximation, ascontemplated in the foregoing, has been established as early as 1939,see Ex parte Mallory, 52 USPQ 297, 297 (Pat. Off. Bd. App. 1941) where,for example, the court said “the claims specify that the film is“substantially” eliminated and for the intended purpose, it is believedthat the slight portion of the film which may remain is negligible. Weare of the view, therefore, that the claims may be regarded assufficiently accurate.” Similarly, In re Hutchison, 104 F.2d 829, 42USPQ 90, 93 (C.C.P.A. 1939) the court said “It is realized that“substantial distance” is a relative and somewhat indefinite term, orphrase, but terms and phrases of this character are not uncommon inpatents in cases where, according to the art involved, the meaning canbe determined with reasonable clearness.”

Hence, for at least the forgoing reason, Applicants submit that it isimproper for any examiner to hold as indefinite any claims of thepresent patent that employ any words of approximation.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skillin the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods,techniques, devices, and materials are described, although any methods,techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to thosedescribed herein may be used in the practice or testing of the presentinvention. Structures described herein are to be understood also torefer to functional equivalents of such structures. The presentinvention will be described in detail below with reference toembodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

References to a “device,” an “apparatus,” a “system,” etc., in thepreamble of a claim should be construed broadly to mean “any structuremeeting the claim terms” exempt for any specific structure(s)/type(s)that has/(have) been explicitly disavowed or excluded oradmitted/implied as prior art in the present specification or incapableof enabling an object/aspect/goal of the invention. Furthermore, wherethe present specification discloses an object, aspect, function, goal,result, or advantage of the invention that a specific prior artstructure and/or method step is similarly capable of performing yet in avery different way, the present invention disclosure is intended to andshall also implicitly include and cover additional correspondingalternative embodiments that are otherwise identical to that explicitlydisclosed except that they exclude such prior art structure(s)/step(s),and shall accordingly be deemed as providing sufficient disclosure tosupport a corresponding negative limitation in a claim claiming suchalternative embodiment(s), which exclude such very different prior artstructure(s)/step(s) way(s).

From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modificationswill be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations andmodifications may involve equivalent and other features which arealready known in the art, and which may be used instead of or inaddition to features already described herein.

Although Claims have been formulated in this Application to particularcombinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of thedisclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature orany novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly orimplicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates tothe same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or notit mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does thepresent invention.

Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments mayalso be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely,various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of asingle embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitablesubcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may beformulated to such features and/or combinations of such features duringthe prosecution of the present Application or of any further Applicationderived therefrom.

References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,”“various embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “embodiments of theinvention,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the inventionso described may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but not every possible embodiment of the inventionnecessarily includes the particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,”or “in an exemplary embodiment,” “an embodiment,” do not necessarilyrefer to the same embodiment, although they may. Moreover, any use ofphrases like “embodiments” in connection with “the invention” are nevermeant to characterize that all embodiments of the invention must includethe particular feature, structure, or characteristic, and should insteadbe understood to mean “at least some embodiments of the invention”include the stated particular feature, structure, or characteristic.

References to “user”, or any similar term, as used herein, may mean ahuman or non-human user thereof. Moreover, “user”, or any similar term,as used herein, unless expressly stipulated otherwise, is contemplatedto mean users at any stage of the usage process, to include, withoutlimitation, direct user(s), intermediate user(s), indirect user(s), andend user(s). The meaning of “user”, or any similar term, as used herein,should not be otherwise inferred or induced by any pattern(s) ofdescription, embodiments, examples, or referenced prior-art that may (ormay not) be provided in the present patent.

References to “end user”, or any similar term, as used herein, isgenerally intended to mean late stage user(s) as opposed to early stageuser(s). Hence, it is contemplated that there may be a multiplicity ofdifferent types of “end user” near the end stage of the usage process.Where applicable, especially with respect to distribution channels ofembodiments of the invention comprising consumed retailproducts/services thereof (as opposed to sellers/vendors or OriginalEquipment Manufacturers), examples of an “end user” may include, withoutlimitation, a “consumer”, “buyer”, “customer”, “purchaser”, “shopper”,“enjoyer”, “viewer”, or individual person or non-human thing benefitingin any way, directly or indirectly, from use of or interaction, withsome aspect of the present invention.

In some situations, some embodiments of the present invention mayprovide beneficial usage to more than one stage or type of usage in theforegoing usage process. In such cases where multiple embodimentstargeting various stages of the usage process are described, referencesto “end user”, or any similar term, as used therein, are generallyintended to not include the user that is the furthest removed, in theforegoing usage process, from the final user therein of an embodiment ofthe present invention.

Where applicable, especially with respect to retail distributionchannels of embodiments of the invention, intermediate user(s) mayinclude, without limitation, any individual person or non-human thingbenefiting in any way, directly or indirectly, from use of, orinteraction with, some aspect of the present invention with respect toselling, vending, Original Equipment Manufacturing, marketing,merchandising, distributing, service providing, and the like thereof.

References to “person”, “individual”, “human”, “a party”, “animal”,“creature”, or any similar term, as used herein, even if the context orparticular embodiment implies living user, maker, or participant, itshould be understood that such characterizations are sole by way ofexample, and not limitation, in that it is contemplated that any suchusage, making, or participation by a living entity in connection withmaking, using, and/or participating, in any way, with embodiments of thepresent invention may be substituted by such similar performed by asuitably configured non-living entity, to include, without limitation,automated machines, robots, humanoids, computational systems,information processing systems, artificially intelligent systems, andthe like. It is further contemplated that those skilled in the art willreadily recognize the practical situations where such living makers,users, and/or participants with embodiments of the present invention maybe in whole, or in part, replaced with such non-living makers, users,and/or participants with embodiments of the present invention. Likewise,when those skilled in the art identify such practical situations wheresuch living makers, users, and/or participants with embodiments of thepresent invention may be in whole, or in part, replaced with suchnon-living makers, it will be readily apparent in light of the teachingsof the present invention how to adapt the described embodiments to besuitable for such non-living makers, users, and/or participants withembodiments of the present invention. Thus, the invention is thus toalso cover all such modifications, equivalents, and alternatives fallingwithin the spirit and scope of such adaptations and modifications, atleast in part, for such non-living entities.

Headings provided herein are for convenience and are not to be taken aslimiting the disclosure in any way.

The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of theitems are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.

It is understood that the use of specific component, device and/orparameter names are for example only and not meant to imply anylimitations on the invention. The invention may thus be implemented withdifferent nomenclature/terminology utilized to describe themechanisms/units/structures/components/devices/parameters herein,without limitation. Each term utilized herein is to be given itsbroadest interpretation given the context in which that term isutilized.

Terminology. The following paragraphs provide definitions and/or contextfor terms found in this disclosure (including the appended claims):

“Comprising” And “contain” and variations of them- Such terms areopen-ended and mean “including but not limited to”. When employed in theappended claims, this term does not foreclose additional structure orsteps. Consider a claim that recites: “A memory controller comprising asystem cache . . . . ” Such a claim does not foreclose the memorycontroller from including additional components (e.g., a memory channelunit, a switch).

“Configured To.” Various units, circuits, or other components may bedescribed or claimed as “configured to” perform a task or tasks. In suchcontexts, “configured to” or “operable for” is used to connote structureby indicating that the mechanisms/units/circuits/components includestructure (e.g., circuitry and/or mechanisms) that performs the task ortasks during operation. As such, the mechanisms/unit/circuit/componentcan be said to be configured to (or be operable) for perform(ing) thetask even when the specified mechanisms/unit/circuit/component is notcurrently operational (e.g., is not on). Themechanisms/units/circuits/components used with the “configured to” or“operable for” language include hardware--for example, mechanisms,structures, electronics, circuits, memory storing program instructionsexecutable to implement the operation, etc. Reciting that amechanism/unit/circuit/component is “configured to” or “operable for”perform(ing) one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35U.S.C. sctn.112, sixth paragraph, for thatmechanism/unit/circuit/component. “Configured to” may also includeadapting a manufacturing process to fabricate devices or components thatare adapted to implement or perform one or more tasks.

“Based On.” As used herein, this term is used to describe one or morefactors that affect a determination. This term does not forecloseadditional factors that may affect a determination. That is, adetermination may be solely based on those factors or based, at least inpart, on those factors. Consider the phrase “determine A based on B.”While B may be a factor that affects the determination of A, such aphrase does not foreclose the determination of A from also being basedon C. In other instances, A may be determined based solely on B.

The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise.

All terms of exemplary language (e.g., including, without limitation,“such as”, “like”, “for example”, “for instance”, “similar to”, etc.)are not exclusive of any other, potentially, unrelated, types ofexamples; thus, implicitly mean “by way of example, and not limitation .. . ”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing conditions,concentrations, dimensions, and so forth used in the specification andclaims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by theterm “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, thenumerical parameters set forth in the following specification andattached claims are approximations that may vary depending at least upona specific analytical technique.

The term “comprising,” which is synonymous with “including,”“containing,” or “characterized by” is inclusive or open-ended and doesnot exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. “Comprising”is a term of art used in claim language which means that the named claimelements are essential, but other claim elements may be added and stillform a construct within the scope of the claim.

As used herein, the phase “consisting of” excludes any element, step, oringredient not specified in the claim. When the phrase “consists of” (orvariations thereof) appears in a clause of the body of a claim, ratherthan immediately following the preamble, it limits only the element setforth in that clause; other elements are not excluded from the claim asa whole. As used herein, the phase “consisting essentially of” and“consisting of” limits the scope of a claim to the specified elements ormethod steps, plus those that do not materially affect the basis andnovel characteristic(s) of the claimed subject matter (see Norian Corp.v Stryker Corp., 363 F.3d 1321, 1331-32, 70 USPQ2d 1508, Fed. Cir.2004). Moreover, for any claim of the present invention which claims anembodiment “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of” a certain setof elements of any herein described embodiment it shall be understood asobvious by those skilled in the art that the present invention alsocovers all possible varying scope variants of any describedembodiment(s) that are each exclusively (i.e., “consisting essentiallyof”) functional subsets or functional combination thereof such that eachof these plurality of exclusive varying scope variants each consistsessentially of any functional subset(s) and/or functional combination(s)of any set of elements of any described embodiment(s) to the exclusionof any others not set forth therein. That is, it is contemplated that itwill be obvious to those skilled how to create a multiplicity ofalternate embodiments of the present invention that simply consistingessentially of a certain functional combination of elements of anydescribed embodiment(s) to the exclusion of any others not set forththerein, and the invention thus covers all such exclusive embodiments asif they were each described herein.

With respect to the terms “comprising,” “consisting of,” and “consistingessentially of,” where one of these three terms is used herein, thedisclosed and claimed subject matter may include the use of either ofthe other two terms. Thus in some embodiments not otherwise explicitlyrecited, any instance of “comprising” may be replaced by “consisting of”or, alternatively, by “consisting essentially of”, and thus, for thepurposes of claim support and construction for “consisting of” formatclaims, such replacements operate to create yet other alternativeembodiments “consisting essentially of” only the elements recited in theoriginal “comprising” embodiment to the exclusion of all other elements.

Moreover, any claim limitation phrased in functional limitation termscovered by 35 USC § 112(6) (post AIA 112(f)) which has a preambleinvoking the closed terms “consisting of,” or “consisting essentiallyof,” should be understood to mean that the corresponding structure(s)disclosed herein define the exact metes and bounds of what the soclaimed invention embodiment(s) consists of, or consisting essentiallyof, to the exclusion of any other elements which do not materiallyaffect the intended purpose of the so claimed embodiment(s).

Devices or system modules that are in at least general communicationwith each other need not be in continuous communication with each other,unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices or systemmodules that are in at least general communication with each other maycommunicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.Moreover, it is understood that any system components described or namedin any embodiment or claimed herein may be grouped or sub-grouped (andaccordingly implicitly renamed) in any combination or sub-combination asthose skilled in the art can imagine as suitable for the particularapplication, and still be within the scope and spirit of the claimedembodiments of the present invention. For an example of what this means,if the invention was a controller of a motor and a valve and theembodiments and claims articulated those components as being separatelygrouped and connected, applying the foregoing would mean that such aninvention and claims would also implicitly cover the valve being groupedinside the motor and the controller being a remote controller with nodirect physical connection to the motor or internalized valve, as suchthe claimed invention is contemplated to cover all ways of groupingand/or adding of intermediate components or systems that stillsubstantially achieve the intended result of the invention.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communicationwith each other does not imply that all such components are required. Onthe contrary a variety of optional components are described toillustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the presentinvention.

As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerationsand compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimalmanufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and inparticular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercialimplementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of thepresent invention may configured according to the needs of theparticular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s),result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachingsrelated to any described embodiment of the present invention may besuitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improvedand/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skillsand known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation thataddresses the needs of the particular application.

In the following description and claims, the terms “coupled” and“connected,” along with their derivatives, may be used. It should beunderstood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other.Rather, in particular embodiments, “connected” may be used to indicatethat two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contactwith each other. “Coupled” may mean that two or more elements are indirect physical or electrical contact. However, “coupled” may also meanthat two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, butyet still cooperate or interact with each other.

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference toembodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary infant toy system 100 withmodernized improvement that may allow it to be personalized by a parent,in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In thepresent embodiment, a plush toy implement 110 in the shape and image ofan athletic symbol, an audio player device 120, a plug appliance 130,and a power cord tool 140 is shown. The plush toy implement 110 mayinclude a shape of an athletic ball such as, but not limited to, abaseball or a soccer ball. In an embodiment, an exterior surface of theplush toy 110 is lined with cotton or polyester and an interior isstuffed with synthetic fiber material. Securing straps projects fromeach sidewall. A storage pocket is disposed on a rear plane with elastichem.

In some embodiments, the audio player device 120 may include a memorychip with audio tracks, including but not limited to heartbeat sound, anaudio speaker for broadcast of memory chip content, manual controlsincluding power button, volume control and content selection, an LEDscreen, a rechargeable battery, a USB port connected to the rechargeablebattery and memory chip, a USB port flap/tab for covering the USB portwhen not in use, and a receiver or a transceiver (transmitter/receiver)for receiving and/or transmitting wireless signals from a smartphone.The power cord tool 140 includes two (2) USB jacks for separatefunctions of recharging the battery within the audio player device andfor transfer of audio data to the audio player device from a separatedevice.

In other embodiments, audio entertainment may be provided includingcomforting music, voices and sounds, such as a mother's heartbeat, andnew sounds and music may be uploaded. The memory chip may store avarious number of audio tracks of various content, such as but notlimited to a heartbeat, ocean surf, rain, and babbling brook. Saidmemory chip may also include various children's songs. A parent mayrecord a nighttime message for a child, a lullaby or even a bedtimestory that may be uploaded and played to the infant. This allows theinfant to hear the comforting voice of a mom or dad, even when thoseparents can't be immediately nearby. The audio player device may be setto play for specific time periods, and which may or may not be selectedby a user.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an exemplary plush toy implement 110, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the presentembodiment shown, two securing straps 200, sewn to the structure of theplush toy implement 110, are each of an approximate eight-inch (8″)length, which projects from a sidewall of the plush toy 110. Thesecuring strap 200, is operable for attaching directly to a child'ssleeping environment such as, but not limited to a sidewall of a crib, astroller, a car seat, a play pen, carrying handle of a safety seat,and/or another childcare implement. The plush toy implement 110 may bean added decoration to a small child's sleeping environment and mayprovide amusement and entertainment to the child. In other embodiments,the securing strap 200 may be made of various lengths, and may featurevarious means of securement, including but not limited to buckle, snapand hook-and-loop material.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an exemplary plush toy implement 110, withpocket for storage and transport of small items, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment shown,the plush toy implement 110 includes a storage pocket 310 with elastichem forming the top lip 320 of the pocket, where the audio player device120 is contained in the storage pocket 310 of the plush toy implement110 during use or during storage. The storage pocket 310 may be disposedon a predetermined portion of the plush toy implement 110 and may beregularly washed when the audio player device is removed.

In some embodiments, the plush toy implement 110 may be produced in aspherical shape of ten-inch (10″) diameter, and is decorated to appearas a soccer ball. Its exterior lining is made of a cotton/polyesterblend, and the interior stuffing is synthetic fiber. In additionalembodiments, the plush toy implement 110 may be made of variousmaterials that comply with requirements for toys intended for childrenunder the age of twelve (12), including but not limited to accommodationof the American Standard Test Method (such as but not limited to ASTMF963-07c1 and ASTM F963-11), and requirements of the Consumer ProductSafety Commission and U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (such as but notlimited to 16 C.F.R. § 1500.44 and/or 16 C.F.R. § 1610.1(d)). Inalternative embodiments, the plush toy implement 110 may be produced invarious shapes, sizes, and from various materials.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an exemplary audio player device 120, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the presentembodiment shown, the audio player device 120 includes a water-resistantcontainer/housing 430 with rounded corners and edges made ofhigh-density polyethylene (HDPE), a display screen 410 including an LEDscreen, a volume control 420, a content and/or audio track selectioncontrol switch 440, a USB port flap/tab 450, a USB port 460, an audiospeaker 470, a power On/Off button 480, a Power Indicator Light 490, anda USB cable 495 plugged into the USB port 460. The audio player device120 further includes memory chip with audio tracks, the audio speakerbroadcasts the contents of the memory chip, and a rechargeable battery,wherein the USB port is connected to the rechargeable battery and thememory chip. The USB port flap/tab 450 may be made of a thermoplasticelastomer that attaches to the water-resistant container/housing 430,and to ensure water-resistant status when not in use.

In some embodiments, the audio player device 120 may store comfortingmusic, voices and sounds, such as a mother's heartbeat in the memorychip and new sounds and music may be uploaded. A parent may record anighttime message for a child, a lullaby or even a bedtime story thatmay be uploaded and played to the infant. This allows the infant to hearthe comforting voice of a mom or dad, even when those parents can't beimmediately nearby. New recordings may be added to the memory chip, suchas the recorded voice of a parent or other loved one, and which canespecially comfort the child in the absence of that loved one. The powercord 140 for the recharging of the battery can be connected to thememory chip to allow such recordings to be uploaded. The USB port 460may allow a parent or other loved one/caregiver to upload various mediasuch as but not limited to songs, lullabies, nursery rhymes, a parent'svoice, etc. for playback to the child. The audio player device 120 maybe operated remotely with the use of an included mobile app, allowing aparent to control the audio player device even when not in its immediatepresence. The audio player device 120 may also be Wi-Fi, Bluetoothand/or RF enabled.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an exemplary audio player device 120, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the presentembodiment shown, the LED screen 410 is illuminated, indicating thebattery life as well as showing available sounds 510 in the form of agraphical portrayal including but not limited to Womb Sound (akaheartbeat), wind, waves, and forest. The power indicator light 490 maybe illuminated, indicating the device is On.

In some embodiments, the audio player device 120 may be used as a babymonitor. A microphone may be included in the audio player device forbroadcast to a separate audio speaker. In additional embodiments, theaudio player device 120 may be sound-activated, allowing it to beginplaying soothing and comforting sounds to an infant when he or she wakesup and/or begins crying. A microphone may be included to allow forpersonalized recordings to be easily uploaded to the audio player.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an exemplary remote system 600 including asmartphone 620 with a mobile application program (Score App) 610, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the presentembodiment shown, the mobile application program (Score App) may allow aparent or a caregiver to operate the audio player device 120 remotely,allowing a parent to control the device even when not in its immediatepresence. For example, without limitation, the mobile applicationprogram (Score App) 610 may enable a parent or caregiver to turn thedevice on and off, control the volume of the device, select a desiredsound and/or other audio track, and upload additional recordings.Additionally, the mobile application program (Score App) 610 may be ableto send notifications of new available recordings for download and tipsfor caring for babies. The mobile application program (Score App) 610may also enable new recordings to be uploaded to the memory chip, suchas the recorded voice of a parent or other loved one. The mobileapplication program (Score App) 610 may be available for download fromthe Internet from a source such as, but not limited to, Google Play oriTunes, and to be downloaded onto a smartphone or similar electronicdevice. The mobile application program (Score App) 610 may be providedin Android™, iPhone™ Windows, and/or other formats. Remote control canbe made in formats that include a remote-control device rather than amobile application program (Score App) 610.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of an exemplary plush toy implements 700 withan extrinsic function of toy balls, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. In the present embodiment shown, the plush toyimplements include the shape of a football 710, basketball 720 andbaseball 730. An exterior surface of each of the plush toy implements700 is lined with cotton or polyester, the interior stuffed withsynthetic fiber material, securing straps may project from each sidewalland a storage pocket may be disposed on a rear plane of the plush toyimplements 700 with elastic hem.

Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention, that any of theforegoing steps may be suitably replaced, reordered, removed andadditional steps may be inserted depending upon the needs of theparticular application. Moreover, the prescribed method steps of theforegoing embodiments may be implemented using any physical and/orhardware system that those skilled in the art will readily know issuitable in light of the foregoing teachings. For any method stepsdescribed in the present application that can be carried out on acomputing machine, a typical computer system can, when appropriatelyconfigured or designed, serve as a computer system in which thoseaspects of the invention may be embodied. Thus, the present invention isnot limited to any particular tangible means of implementation.

It will be further apparent to those skilled in the art that at least aportion of the novel method steps and/or system components of thepresent invention may be practiced and/or located in location(s)possibly outside the jurisdiction of the United States of America (USA),whereby it will be accordingly readily recognized that at least a subsetof the novel method steps and/or system components in the foregoingembodiments must be practiced within the jurisdiction of the USA for thebenefit of an entity therein or to achieve an object of the presentinvention. Thus, some alternate embodiments of the present invention maybe configured to comprise a smaller subset of the foregoing means forand/or steps described that the applications designer will selectivelydecide, depending upon the practical considerations of the particularimplementation, to carry out and/or locate within the jurisdiction ofthe USA. For example, any of the foregoing described method steps and/orsystem components which may be performed remotely over a network (e.g.,without limitation, a remotely located server) may be performed and/orlocated outside of the jurisdiction of the USA while the remainingmethod steps and/or system components (e.g., without limitation, alocally located client) of the forgoing embodiments are typicallyrequired to be located/performed in the USA for practicalconsiderations. In client-server architectures, a remotely locatedserver typically generates and transmits required information to a USbased client, for use according to the teachings of the presentinvention. Depending upon the needs of the particular application, itwill be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, in light of theteachings of the present invention, which aspects of the presentinvention can or should be located locally and which can or should belocated remotely. Thus, for any claims construction of the followingclaim limitations that are construed under 35 USC § 112 (6) it isintended that the corresponding means for and/or steps for carrying outthe claimed function are the ones that are locally implemented withinthe jurisdiction of the USA, while the remaining aspect(s) performed orlocated remotely outside the USA are not intended to be construed under35 USC § 112 (6).

It is noted that according to USA law, all claims must be set forth as acoherent, cooperating set of limitations that work in functionalcombination to achieve a useful result as a whole. Accordingly, for anyclaim having functional limitations interpreted under 35 USC § 112 (6)where the embodiment in question is implemented as a client-serversystem with a remote server located outside of the USA, each suchrecited function is intended to mean the function of combining, in alogical manner, the information of that claim limitation with at leastone other limitation of the claim. For example, in client-server systemswhere certain information claimed under 35 USC § 112 (6) is/(are)dependent on one or more remote servers located outside the USA, it isintended that each such recited function under 35 USC § 112 (6) is to beinterpreted as the function of the local system receiving the remotelygenerated information required by a locally implemented claimlimitation, wherein the structures and or steps which enable, and breathlife into the expression of such functions claimed under 35 USC § 112(6) are the corresponding steps and/or means located within thejurisdiction of the USA that receive and deliver that information to theclient (e.g., without limitation, client-side processing andtransmission networks in the USA). When this application is prosecutedor patented under a jurisdiction other than the USA, then “USA” in theforegoing should be replaced with the pertinent country or countries orlegal organization(s) having enforceable patent infringementjurisdiction over the present application, and “35 USC § 112 (6)” shouldbe replaced with the closest corresponding statute in the patent laws ofsuch pertinent country or countries or legal organization(s).

All the features disclosed in this specification, including anyaccompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternativefeatures serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unlessexpressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise,each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series ofequivalent or similar features.

It is noted that according to USA law 35 USC § 112 (1), all claims mustbe supported by sufficient disclosure in the present patentspecification, and any material known to those skilled in the art neednot be explicitly disclosed. However, 35 USC § 112 (6) requires thatstructures corresponding to functional limitations interpreted under 35USC § 112 (6) must be explicitly disclosed in the patent specification.Moreover, the USPTO's Examination policy of initially treating andsearching prior art under the broadest interpretation of a “mean for” or“steps for” claim limitation implies that the broadest initial search on35 USC § 112(6) (post AIA 112(f)) functional limitation would have to beconducted to support a legally valid Examination on that USPTO policyfor broadest interpretation of “mean for” claims. Accordingly, the USPTOwill have discovered a multiplicity of prior art documents includingdisclosure of specific structures and elements which are suitable to actas corresponding structures to satisfy all functional limitations in thebelow claims that are interpreted under 35 USC § 112(6) (post AIA112(f)) when such corresponding structures are not explicitly disclosedin the foregoing patent specification. Therefore, for any inventionelement(s)/structure(s) corresponding to functional claim limitation(s),in the below claims interpreted under 35 USC § 112(6) (post AIA 112(f)),which is/are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patentspecification, yet do exist in the patent and/or non-patent documentsfound during the course of USPTO searching, Applicant(s) incorporate allsuch functionally corresponding structures and related enabling materialherein by reference for the purpose of providing explicit structuresthat implement the functional means claimed. Applicant(s) request(s)that fact finders during any claims construction proceedings and/orexamination of patent allowability properly identify and incorporateonly the portions of each of these documents discovered during thebroadest interpretation search of 35 USC § 112(6) (post AIA 112(f))limitation, which exist in at least one of the patent and/or non-patentdocuments found during the course of normal USPTO searching and orsupplied to the

USPTO during prosecution. Applicant(s) also incorporate by reference thebibliographic citation information to identify all such documentscomprising functionally corresponding structures and related enablingmaterial as listed in any PTO Form-892 or likewise any informationdisclosure statements (IDS) entered into the present patent applicationby the USPTO or Applicant(s) or any 3^(rd) parties. Applicant(s) alsoreserve its right to later amend the present application to explicitlyinclude citations to such documents and/or explicitly include thefunctionally corresponding structures which were incorporate byreference above.

Thus, for any invention element(s)/structure(s) corresponding tofunctional claim limitation(s), in the below claims, that areinterpreted under 35 USC §112(6) (post AIA 112(f)), which is/are notexplicitly disclosed in the foregoing patent specification, Applicant(s)have explicitly prescribed which documents and material to include theotherwise missing disclosure, and have prescribed exactly which portionsof such patent and/or non-patent documents should be incorporated bysuch reference for the purpose of satisfying the disclosure requirementsof 35 USC § 112 (6). Applicant(s) note that all the identified documentsabove which are incorporated by reference to satisfy 35 USC § 112 (6)necessarily have a filing and/or publication date prior to that of theinstant application, and thus are valid prior documents to incorporatedby reference in the instant application.

Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention,other equivalent or alternative methods of implementing systems andmethods for providing comfort to infants and/or toddlers according tothe present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.Various aspects of the invention have been described above by way ofillustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended tolimit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. The particularimplementation of the systems and methods for providing comfort toinfants and/or toddlers may vary depending upon the particular contextor application. By way of example, and not limitation, the system andmethod for providing comfort to infants and/or toddlers described in theforegoing were principally directed to broadcasts of various music andsound implementations; however, similar techniques may instead beapplied to remote monitoring, which implementations of the presentinvention are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention.The invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the followingclaims. It is to be further understood that not all of the disclosedembodiments in the foregoing specification will necessarily satisfy orachieve each of the objects, advantages, or improvements described inthe foregoing specification.

Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or letteredsolely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numberingand lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken toindicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b)requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the natureand gist of the technical disclosure. That is, the Abstract is providedmerely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify any key oressential features of the claimed subject matter. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret thescope or meaning of the claims.

The following claims are hereby incorporated into the detaileddescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separateembodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a plush toy implement in theshape of a sports implement including at least one of, a soccer ball,football, baseball and a basketball; an audio player device that isconfigured to broadcast a parent message that is operable for comfortingan infant; a storage pocket implement disposed on a first sidewallportion of said plush toy implement, in which said storage pocketimplement comprises an elastic hem forming a top lip of said storagepocket, wherein said storage pocket is configured to contain said audioplayer device; a strap implement sewn to a second sidewall portion ofsaid plush toy implement, in which said strap implement comprises atleast two or more straps configured to be safely secured to a sidewallof a crib, a stroller, a car seat, a play pen or a carrying handle of asafety seat; and a water-resistant housing structure enclosing saidaudio player device, in which said housing structure comprises at leastrounded corners and edges that are configured to be secured within andremoved from said storage pocket.
 2. The system of claim 1, in whichsaid parent message comprises a mother's heartbeat or womb sound that isconfigured to help induce comfort, relaxation, or safe sleep.
 3. Thesystem of claim 2, in which said audio player device comprises a USBport that is configured to allow a parent, other loved one, or caregiverto upload songs, lullabies, nursery rhymes, or parent's voice operablefor playback to an infant.
 4. The system of claim 3, in which said audioplayer device further comprises at least one of, a transceiver and areceiver.
 5. The system of claim 5, in which said audio player devicecomprises a remote controlled audio player device, wherein a mobileapplication software program is configured to operate the audio deviceremotely.
 6. The system of claim 3, in which said plush toy implementcomprises a cotton and polyester blend disposed as an exterior lining ofsaid plush toy implement.
 7. The system of claim 6, in which said plushtoy implement comprises an interior portion stuffed with at leastsynthetic fiber.
 8. The system of claim 3, in which said audio playerdevice further comprises an LED screen that is configured to display agraphical portrayal of at least one of, a Womb Sound, a heartbeat, awind, a wave, and a forest.
 9. The system of claim 3, in which saidaudio player device further comprises a volume control.
 10. The systemof claim 3, in which said audio player device further comprises acontent or audio track selection control switch.
 11. The system of claim3, in which said audio player device further comprises a USB port flapmade of a thermoplastic elastomer and attached to said water-resistanthousing structure enclosing said audio player device.
 12. The system ofclaim 3, in which said audio player device further comprises an audiospeaker.
 13. The system of claim 3, in which said audio player devicefurther comprises a power On/Off button.
 14. The system of claim 3, inwhich said audio player device further comprises a Power IndicatorLight.
 15. The system of claim 3, in which said audio player devicefurther comprises a rechargeable battery.
 16. The system of claim 15, inwhich said audio player device further comprises a power cord tool, inwhich said power cord tool includes at least a first USB jack that isconfigured to recharge said battery and a second USB jack that isconfigured to transfer audio data to said audio player device from aseparate device.
 17. The system of claim 3, in which said audio playerdevice further comprises a memory chip with audio tracks that isconfigured to store said parent message.
 18. The system of claim 3,further comprising a mobile application program that is configured toallow a parent or a caregiver to operate said audio player deviceremotely and allow the parent or caregiver to control the audio playerdevice even when not in its immediate presence.
 19. A system comprising:a plush toy implement in the shape of a sports implement including atleast one of, a soccer ball, football, baseball and a basketball; meansfor broadcasting a parent message that is operable for comforting aninfant; means for containing said audio player device; means forsecuring said plush toy implement to a sidewall of a crib, a stroller, acar seat, a play pen or a carrying handle of a safety seat; means forenclosing said broadcasting means, said enclosing means is awater-resistant enclosing means; and means for controlling saidbroadcasting means remotely.
 20. A system consisting of: a plush toyimplement in the shape of a sports implement including at least one of,a soccer ball, football, baseball and a basketball; an audio playerdevice that is configured to broadcast a parent message that is operablefor comforting an infant; a storage pocket implement disposed on a firstsidewall portion of said plush toy implement, in which said storagepocket implement comprises an elastic hem forming a top lip of saidstorage pocket, wherein said storage pocket is configured to containsaid audio player device; a strap implement sewn to a second sidewallportion of said plush toy implement, in which said strap implementcomprises at least two or more straps configured to be safely secured toa sidewall of a crib, a stroller, a car seat, a play pen or a carryinghandle of a safety seat; a water-resistant housing structure enclosingsaid audio player device, in which said housing structure comprises atleast rounded corners and edges that are configured to be secured withinand removed from said storage pocket; an LED screen that is configuredto display a graphical portrayal of at least one of, a Womb Sound, aheartbeat, a wind, a wave, and a forest; and a mobile applicationprogram that is configured to allow a parent or a caregiver to operatesaid audio player device remotely.